RE: SA vs AUS Test Series 2014
RussyRover > 04/03/2014, 16:23
3rd Test - DAY 4
Australia needed to come out this morning and score fast to post a target, and SA needed to take wickets, guess which one happened...
But before that as the teams prepare to take the field, Graeme Smith walks onto the field alone to rapturous applause from the crowd and both sets of players, can he make his last Test Match a memorable one?
David Warner made mincemeat once again of the SA attack, and he and Rogers make 100+ for the first wicket partnership, although Rogers only managed 39 as he was run out by Steyn with the total on 123.
SA though was missing Steyn, he did take to the field and tried a few overs, that Warner clattered him for and then give up again. It's pointless to aggravate his injury further, but without his attack, SA seem very mild indeed.
As Rogers departed, Doolan entered, and surprisingly took ages to try to get a start, not really the game plan for Australia, as they needed to push the score along,, but he didn't last, out for 37 from 87 balls.
It was time to go on the offensive again and although a few wickets fell, including Clarke out for a golden duck, the Aussies pass 300 before declaring with under an hour to go before Tea. Warner made an impressive 145 from 156 balls, that's a century in both innings and probably MOM material.
AUSTRALIA 2nd Inns: 303 for 5 dec from 58.0 overs, not bad eh!!!
A simple equation for SA, 511 to win or bat out 4 and a bit sessions for the draw... and for Australia, they would dearly love to get a wicket before Tea...
Once again guess what happened?
Harris and Johnson seem in a different class with the new ball, Harris takes first blood with the first ball of the 3rd over as Alvaro Petersen walks across his wicket, misses the ball, and the finger is raised for lbw. Petersen looks towards Smith for a possible review, but Smith says, no mate that's out... 12-1.
First ball of the 4th over and Johnson bowls a beautiful body ball to Smith who catches an inside edge onto the pads and straight into the hands of short leg, 12-2 disaster...
As Smith walks off, the crowd gives him a standing ovation, along with both teams on and off the field, not the last innings he would have wanted but a great South African player.
Dean Elgar becomes Johnson's next victim as he plays around the ball that clatters into the stumps, bowled for 0, and 15-3, and that's Tea.
Australia are jubilant 1 wicket would have been nice, 3 before Tea, an absolute dream...
As South Africa resume after Tea, their game plan seems to have changed. The plan seems to be 'SURVIVAL'. Don't worry about scoring, just survive, they're going for the draw, playing the shots with minimal risk. If anyone can last out then Amla and de Villiers would be the pair you would want at the crease, still, it's a big ask for them.
Oops, what was I saying, Amla gets nowhere near a ball from Pattinson, and the finger is raised once more for lbw. It is reviewed this time but no luck, it's upheld and SA are 68-4... Kyle Abbott comes in as night watchman, not too long to go before close of play and the Aussies sense blood, they're not going to let up now...
CLOSE OF PLAY: SOUTH AFRICA 2nd Inns: 71-4 from 41 overs, 439 runs behind.
de Villiers has batted 2 1/2 hours for his 16 runs and 1 boundary, only another 400 or so to go tomorrow to save the match, however win, lose or draw, well maybe not the win, can't see that happening, but lose or draw, South Africa will retain the #1 Test spot.. At least Smith has that, he left with them on #1.